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Back to Homeland Security & Cybersecurity Connection - It's Not About the Terrorists

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Homeland Security & Cybersecurity Connection - It's Not About the Terrorists by University of Colorado System

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About the Course

Welcome to Course 1 in CS4950, Homeland Security and Cybersecruity. In this course we examine the origins of homeland security and its connection with cybersecurity. Homeland security is about safeguarding the United States from domestic catastrophic destruction. Catastrophic destruction comes in two forms: natural and man-made. For most of history the man-made variety came in the form of warfare and required the combined resources of a nation state. All that changed March 20th, 1995. On that date, members of a quasi-religious cult in Japan attacked the Tokyo subway system using Sarin gas. It was the first deployment of a weapon of mass destruction my a non-state actor. The power of destruction once reserved to nation states was now available to small groups, even individuals. The incident was a wake up call for governments around the world. Defense establishments designed to keep rogue states in check were practically useless against non-state actors. Overnight, the number of potential enemies multiplied a hundred, maybe even a thousand-fold. In response to the Tokyo Subway Attacks, the United States took measures to protect itself from WMD attack by non-state actors. Those measures were still being enacted when the nation was attacked on 9/11. On September 11, 2001, nineteen hijackers inflicted as much damage as the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941. The investigating 9/11 Commission noted the attacks for their "surpassing disproportion". The hijackers had achieved WMD effects without using WMD. They did this by subverting the nation's transportation infrastructure, turning passenger jets into guided missiles. Again, the security implications were profound. Non-state actors seeking to inflict domestic catastrophic destruction did not need to import, fabricate, or acquire WMD as the nation was surrounded by the means of its own destruction in the form of critical infrastructure. The vulnerability of critical infrastructure had not gone unnoticed. Again, in response to the Tokyo Subway attacks, which themselves had been an attack on Japanese infrastructure, President Clinton in 1996 commissioned a panel to investigate the threat to United States' infrastructure. The panel replied in 1997 that there was no immediate threat to US infrastructure, but they were concerned with the growing risk of cyber attack. The same cyber physical systems that fueled the explosive growth of the Internet were being incorporated into Industrial Control Systems that underpinned much of the nation's critical infrastructure. The panel noted that the knowledge and skills necessary to mount a cyber attack on the nation's infrastructure was growing. As a result of this observation, President Clinton in 1998 ordered the protection of US critical infrastructure, especially from cyber attack. Following 9/11, critical infrastructure protection and cybersecurity were designated core missions in the 2002 Homeland Security Act establishing the new Department of Homeland Security. They remain core missions to this day, but many don't see the connection. The connection is this: cybersecurity is essential to critical infrastructure protection, which is essential to homeland security, which is about safeguarding the United States from domestic catastrophic destruction. I look forward to working with you in the coming lessons. Best wishes and good luck! Course 1: Homeland Security & Cybersecurity Connection Course 2: Cybersecurity Policy for Water and Electricity Infrastructures Course 3: Cybersecurity Policy for Aviation and Internet Infrastructures Course 4: Homeland Security & Cybersecurity Future...

Top reviews

FF

Feb 11, 2023

Very informative and challenging course. There are many quizez and discussions to help faciliate original thinking. For readings, I would recommend specifying which pages to read to avoid confusion.

AB

Oct 17, 2017

Thank You Mr. Richard White for making a hard course seems easy and enlighten us specially about the "it's all about the terrorist" notion people have when it comes to Homeland Security.

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26 - 50 of 100 Reviews for Homeland Security & Cybersecurity Connection - It's Not About the Terrorists

By Ana P

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Sep 15, 2018

Is very interesting, and very informative. Thank you so much to my instructors for instructing Ana Pelayo.

By Elom

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May 2, 2019

Excellent course! I learned a great deal about the background for the modern need for cyber security.

By Victor M V J

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Jun 29, 2022

Aun cuando posee material en pdf complicado de traducir, los temas que se imparten son muy buenos.

By Karina F

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Nov 1, 2020

Great course, I am glad for all the time the professors put on this amazing material. Thank you!

By Lyssandra A

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Nov 14, 2018

Provides a good basic understanding of what cybersecurity is and isn't, and why it's important.

By MAGDALINI M O A

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Aug 5, 2021

Very usefull especially for my career boosting! Thanks to coursera for this opportunity!

By Hakeem U

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Sep 18, 2020

The Course Coordinator is very good, well read and vast. He knows his onions well.

By Tan J F

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Sep 15, 2018

I love this course so much! It really helps if you are pursuing a military career!

By L. B

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Jul 9, 2018

Excellent course. Very clear the expositor. Among the best within Coursera.

By Sjir B

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Apr 23, 2018

Very interesting course and a good explanation about Homeland Security!

By Michael K F

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Apr 4, 2020

Excellent material in plain language. Easy to follow and comprehend.

By Lucy A G

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Dec 12, 2017

Very good course, well laid out, informative and relevant for today!

By BUDUMURI Y

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Apr 21, 2020

Good subject.I had never seen such good communicating instructor.

By Alia D

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Mar 21, 2018

Very informative and eye opening course. My first of many more!

By Farah D

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Jan 22, 2018

I like this course and the instructor, Rick White, is the best.

By Edgar A

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Sep 17, 2017

Highly recommended for anyone wanting to know more about DHS.

By Jose I

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Jul 27, 2017

Excellent learning & practice tool for my life and my job

By Ashok K

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Jun 4, 2018

Good course to learn Homeland Security and Cybersecurity

By Joshua H

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Apr 3, 2020

Great coarse! Thank you for your time and service.

By Jakes J

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Jun 5, 2023

well-presented and meet the required knowledge

By Ahmed J

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May 4, 2020

just like it! very informative and helpful!

By Ronnie A G

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Nov 3, 2017

Great source of information . Great course

By Idongesit N

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May 9, 2020

Exceptional information. I learned a lot.

By PHILIP P A T

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Oct 3, 2020

Nice Wonderful! Learnt a lot from this !

By David R

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Oct 6, 2018

Great content and excellent instruction.